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Quality Circle Quality Circle Quality Circle Quality Circle
By K.MARIAPPAN
Quality Circle
A quality circle is a group composed of regular
employees who meet together to discuss workplace
improvement, and make presentations to management with
their ideas. The concept was invented in the United States
and introduced in post-war Japan in the early 1950s.
The Philosophy of QCC is based on the concepts of Participative
management and Humanistic management.
Humanistic management refers to management that gives importance to
people and their feelings. This is because people are the most valuable asset of
‘a department.
Participative management means that worker regardless of his /
her position in the organisation is given the opportunity to make meaningful
contribution to the department .
QCC is, therefore a mechanism whereby workers are able to participate
in the problem-solving process leading to improvement of quality and
productivity in their department .
Philosophy of Quality Circle
History of Quality Circle Quality circles were first established in Japan in 1962, and
Kaoru Ishikawa has been credited with their creation.
The movement in Japan was coordinated by the Japanese
Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE).
The use of quality circles then spread beyond Japan.
Quality circles have been implemented even in educational
sectors in India and QCFI (Quality Circle Forum of India)
is promoting such activities.
Need of Quality Circle The need for public and private businesses to improve quality of services is no longer an option but a necessity. Since the early 1960’s businesses across the Globe have been searching for ways to improve
overall operational efficiency.
This trend has been more heightened with the onset of free open trade
And Customers demanding so much more for their dollars.
Some organisations have successfully implemented the use of quality
circles as part of an ongoing improvement programme.Others have experimented with quality circles with the best intentions and faced
several obstacle, but what is true is that this type of participatory management brings several benefits to all concerned.
Objectives of Quality Circle The objective of QCC is to improve and upgrade quality of work
through:
(a) The problem solving capability of the workers;
(b) Team work;
(c) The cultivation and assimilation of positive values and work ethics;
(d) Involvement and interest in work;
(e) High motivation for work; and
(f) Awareness of responsibility towards oneself, the group, the department / office and the nation.
Function of Quality Circle A group of employees who perform similar duties and meet at
periodic
intervals, often with management, to discuss work-related issues and to
offer suggestions and ideas for improvements, as in production methods or
quality control.
The ideal size of a quality circle is from eight to ten members.
Structure of Quality Circle
Non Qc - Members
Members
Leader
Facilitator
Co-ordinator
Steering committee
Top Manageme
nt
Top Management
Steeringcommittee
Co-ordinator
Facilitator LeaderMembers
Non-members
Roles & Responsibilities
The success of the quality circles depends solely on the
attitude of the Top management and plays an important role to ensure
the success of implementation of quality circles in the organization.
Top Management
Steeringcommittee
Co-ordinator
Facilitator LeaderMembers
Non-members
Roles & Responsibilities
Steering committee called middle management consists of chief
executive heads of different divisions or a co-ordinator plays a
positive role in quality circles activities for the success of the
efforts. The meetings are conveyed at least once in one to two months
interaval.
Top Management
Steeringcommittee
Co-ordinator
Facilitator LeaderMembers
Non-members
Roles & Responsibilities
Co-ordinator also acts as facilitators is an individual responsible for
coordinating and directing the quality circles activities within an
organization and carries out such functions as would make the operations
of quality circles smooth, effective and self-sustainable.
Roles & Responsibilities Facilitator also acts as a catalyst, innovator, promoter and teacher and is
nominated by the management.
(i) Communicating with all levels of management andobtaining their support and assistance;
(ii) Providing training to QCC leaders and assisting intraining of QCC members where required;
(iii) Maintaining an open and supportive environment;
(iv) Ensuring QCC members direct their activities towork-related problems;
(v) As a mediator in problem-solving;
(vi) As a resource person to the Circle; and
(vii) Evaluating the costs and benefits of the QCC programmeand reporting to the Management.
Roles & Responsibilities Leader of the quality circles is chosen by the members among themselves and they may decide to have a leader by rotation since the members are the basic elements of the structure of quality circle. (i) Training members on problems-solving techniques withthe assistance of the facilitator where required;
(ii) Responsible for the smooth operation of QCC activitiesand fostering the spirit of cooperation and harmonyamong members;
(iii) Assisting the Circle members in record keeping and inthe preparation of management presentations;
(iv) Conducting meetings in an orderly and effective manner;
(v) Showing interest and support to the Circle;
(vi) Encouraging other workers to become members;
(vii) Assisting members in problem-solving; and
(viii) Enforcing team discipline.
Roles & Responsibilities Members of the quality circles are the small group of people from the
same work area or doing similar type of work whereas non-members are
those who are not members of the quality circle but may be involved in
the circle recommendation.
(i) Attending meetings regularly;
(ii) Directing their efforts towards solving work-related problems;
(iii) Identifying problems, contributing ideas, undertaking research and
investigation (where necessary) and assisting the QCC in problem-solving. (iv) Participating in management presentations.